As Victory Month unfolds, Dhaka is set to resonate with music, art and creative expression through a distinctive cultural gathering organised by the Bengal Foundation. From tomorrow until 27 December, the four-day festival titled Prane Ano Gaan will celebrate the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War while showcasing the depth and diversity of Bengali cultural heritage. Supported by Dhaka Bank, the festival brings together music, craft and visual art to present a layered portrait of the nation’s history, traditions and contemporary life.
According to the organisers, the festival is part of Bengal Foundation’s long-standing commitment to strengthening cultural practice in Bangladesh by making it more dynamic, inclusive and multidimensional. Staged during Victory Month, the programme is designed not only as a form of artistic entertainment but also as a cultural bridge, connecting younger generations with their roots and reinforcing the values of creativity, resilience and collective memory that emerged from the Liberation War.
The main musical performances will take place every evening at 5:45 pm on Level 4 of Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi. The festival will be formally inaugurated tomorrow at 6:00 pm by Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman of Dhaka Bank. Over four evenings, audiences will experience a rich range of performances, including classical music, folk songs, Nazrul and Rabindra Sangeet, socially conscious modern songs, poetry recitation and dramatic readings.
The opening day, Wednesday, will feature patriotic songs and poetry recitations by Mostafizur Rahman, Mansi Sadhu, Mainur Rahman Khan and Mohiuddin Shamim. Nazrul’s devotional compositions will be presented by Bitu Kumar Shil, while folk music will be performed by Kiran Chandra Roy. On Thursday, Supreya Das will present Bengali thumri, followed by a reading from Jasimuddin’s celebrated epic Nokshi Kanthar Math by Bhashwar Bandyopadhyay. Champa Banik will perform popular songs from Bangladeshi cinema, alongside folk performances by Labik Kamal.
Friday’s programme will include Azizur Rahman performing songs by three major poets, with Susmita Debnath presenting Nazrul’s modern compositions. Readings by Raihanul Amin Kollol and Rabindra Sangeet by Aditi Mohsin will complete the evening. The closing day, Saturday, will feature Rabindranath Tagore’s lesser-known “broken songs” by Mahua Manjari Sunanda, life-oriented modern songs by Farzana Wahid Sayan, and folk music by Tuntun Baul.
Beyond music, the festival includes Karukatha, a fair of selected rural handicrafts and artisanal products, running daily from noon at the Subir Chowdhury Courtyard on the ground floor of Bengal Shilpalay. In addition, the group art exhibition Onnoshor will display works by 35 artists, exploring women’s lived experiences, history and evolving artistic practices. This exhibition will be held at the Kamrul Hasan Exhibition Gallery from 24 December 2025 to 17 January 2026. Children and teenagers will also be able to participate in a creative craft workshop titled Akash-Kusum.
Festival at a Glance
| Day | Key Performances | Notable Artists |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Patriotic songs, Nazrul devotional music, folk | Bitu Kumar Shil, Kiran Chandra Roy |
| Day 2 | Bengali thumri, poetry reading, film songs | Supreya Das, Champa Banik |
| Day 3 | Songs of three poets, Rabindra Sangeet | Azizur Rahman, Aditi Mohsin |
| Day 4 | Tagore’s broken songs, modern life songs, folk | Farzana Wahid Sayan, Tuntun Baul |
All events are open to the public. In essence, Prane Ano Gaan is more than a festival; it is a vibrant cultural tribute that honours Victory Month by reaffirming the enduring vitality of Bengali creativity and collective cultural expression.